Sheet-metal cabinet construction



Jan, 11 1927.

L. s. CHADWICK sum, METAL CABINET cons rnucmon Filed Jan. 25, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 11, 1927. .613.817

1.. s. CHADWICK smam METAL CABINET CONSTRUCTION I Filed Jan. 25. 1923 s Sheets-Sheet 2 ateated .i an. 11 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT LEE S. CHADWICK, OF SHAKER HEIGHTS VILLAGE, OHI O, ASSIGNGR TO IEBFECTION STOVE COMPANY, 01 CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SHEET-METAL CABINET GONSTRUCIIQIT. 7

Application filed January 25, 1923. Serial No. 614,795.

This invention relates to sheet metal construction, particularly as followed in the clas-: of liquid fuel cook stoves or ranges with special reference to cabinets therefor,

5 and wherein certain of the parts are coated with vitreous enamel.

he present example is that of a so-called knock-down .cabinet for oil cookstoves, although it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in all its features to this particular adaptation.

The general objects of the invention are to provide a sheet metal cabinet construction that is substantial and rigid and is very neat in appearance. Another object is to provide a sheet metal cabinet for cook stoves wherein the parts subjected to the spatter of greaie during the process of cooking are coated with vitreous enamel so that they may be easily and thoroughly cleaned, said parts being so, designed that they may be readily enameled with a minimum loss from warpingand from the cracking of the enamel. A further object is to provide a so-called 5 knock-down cabinet of the foregoing character which is simple and convenient of ass .bly and disassembly and wherein th parts intertit or interlock in such manner as to require the minimum number of fastening means, such as bolts, for holding them together. Another object is to fasten the enrmcled parts firmly together by means which may be drawn up ti 'htly enough to insure against their accidental loosening, yet without in'iposing undue strains upon the enameicd parts, thus protecting the enamel against cracking.

The foregoing objects, with others hereinafter appearing, are attained in the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a cook stove inrorporzrting a cabinetconstructed in accord ance "ith my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view, andFig. 3 a left hand end elevation thereof: Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 44 of Fig. 1; Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged sectional details on the respec i five lines 5-5 and 66 of Fig. 3; Fig. is a perspective view of a corner clip employed in the cabinet construction: and Figs. 8. 9. and 10 are highly magnified sectional views of different forms of fastening means which may be employed for connecting together the heavily enameled. parts of the structure.

Tie stove where-with the cabinet is associated in the present disclosure may be the same as that shown in my earlier applications,Serial Nos. 532,228 and 539,07 9, filed January 27, 1922, and February 25, 1922, respectively. The stove top is designated 1 and it has a depending peripheral flange 2 and is preferably rounded at the corners, as may be seen by reference to Figs. 2 and 6.

The cabinet comprises a back A, ends B, a shelf C, and a back extension D, together with minor elements which will be introduced as the structure is described in detail, the parts enumerated being constructed of sheet metal of a suitable gauge.

The back A has its top edge turned for- .vardly at right angles to its body portion to produce a flange (2, and it terminates at its ends in similar rearwardly directed flanges a. The central portion of the back is preferably depressed forwardly to effect a panel a Secured to the back adjacent each of its ends and spaced a distance above its lower edge substantially equal to the depth of the flange 2 of the stove top 1 is a ledge (6 The ledges are preferably formed of right angle members which have their vertical branches secured by suitable means, such as rivets or'cyelets,-to the back.

Each end B has an inwardly directed flange 6 along its upper edge, and a similar flange 7) along its rear vertical edge. Its front edge is curved, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and is formed to produce a. head 12 which merges into an inwardly dire'cted flange 5 At its lower edge, each of the ends is turned inwardly and upwardly upon itself to produce a double flange b and then inwardly at right angles, to effect a flange 7). The central area of each of the ends is preferably depressed outwardly to form panels 7). 2

At each end, the top C is turned abruptly downwardly, then inwardly and upwardly to provide comparatively shallow double flan es 0. At the rear it is turned downwardly at right angles throughout its entire length to provide a flange 0: and at its forward edge it is formed into a bead which merges into a depending flange 0 As indicated in Fig. 2, the shelf is provided with perforations This permits of a more ready passage of heat from the stove to articles which may be placed upon the shelf for the purpose of keeping them warm.

The back extension D has its upper edge turned over forwardly and downwardly and s1 need from its body portion to produce a groove (Z, and its lower edge is turned forwardly and upwardly to effect a groove cl. A suitable distance upwardly from its lower edge the material of the back extension is offset forv-rardly at right angles to the body portion and preferably pressed tightly to gether to produce a double flange (Z At each end, the material of the back extension may be turned rearwardly and inwardly upon itself to strengthen and improve the appearance of the element. This is indicated at (Z in Figs. 3 and l. The back extension I) is shown as having a panel 61 which is of a design harmonizing with the panel of the back, and it is'formed by depressing the material forwardly, as in the previously defcribed instance of-the hack.

Embracing the head 0 and flange c of the shelf C, and fitting over the top edge of the back extension I) and engaging within the groove (Z, are channel moldings 3. These channel moldings may be and prefe ably are identical and interchangeable.

In assembling the cabinet and applying it to the store 1, the back is held in an upright position with its flange a at the top, and the ends B are brought into position with apertures adjacent their rear edges registering with apertures in the flanges a of the back for the accommodation of fastening means or bolts 4. The fastening means are inserted through the apertures, but temporarily left reasonably loose. In assem bling the ends and back, care should be taken to engage the rear ends of the flanges b on top of the adjacent ends of the ledges a as indicated in Figs. iand 6. The shelf C is next laid upon the back and ends and is held in place thereon by the application of ornamental corner clips 5, one of which is illustrated in perspective in Fig. 7, and which is designed to embrace'the corner connection between the shelf and end, together with the adjacent end of the molding 3 which is applied to the shelf. The corner clip, molding, and flange 0 are provided with apertures through which the fus tening means or bolt 6 may be engaged.

With the partsA, B and C thus assembled, the structure is placed upon the stove top 1 with the flanges 6* of the ends engaging the ends of the flange 2 and the flanges resting throughout the greater portion of their lengths upon the ends of the stove top, while the ledges a bear directly upon the re: r corners of the stove top and conceal the void left by the rounded corners thereof.

The lower edge of the back A and the rear portion of the flange 2 are provided with registering apertures through which fastening means or bolts 7 are engaged.

The back extension D is next placed in position by sliding it'lengthwise alongthe rear edge of the shelf C with its groove d occupied by the flange 0 of the shelf, and its double flange (Z resting upon the rear edge portion of the shelf. Braces 8, of suitable strap metal, have their upper ends formed for engagement about the ends of the mold- 3 that extends along the top of the back extension, and the brace, molding and back extension have registering apertures through whichfastening means or bolts 9 are engaged. The forward ends of the braces 8 rest upon the shelf C and have apertures aligning with holes in the shelf and the flanges 7) of the ends, and fastening means or bolts 10 are engaged therethrough for securely binding the parts together. After the cabinet has been thus assembled, placed upon the stove and properly adjusted, all fastening means may be drawn up tightly to firmly clamp the parts together and impart rigidity to. the structure.

The conditions under which the structure is used makes it desirable to heavily coat with vitreous enamel, preferably white or other light color, the back A and ends 13. The heavy coating, however, need not ex tend to the edges of the elements and preferably does not. In the enameling process, the heavy coating may be wiped from the edges where the parts engage with each other and with the stove top and where they are pro vided with the holes for thefastening means. The shelf C and back extension D, because of their-remoteness from the stove top and accordingly the lesser liability of their becoming spatter-ed with grease, may be japanned. For appearance and durability, the moldings 3, corner clips 5 and braces 8 are preferably nickel plated or similarly tinished.

By flanging the various elements of the cabinet as hereinbefore described, and by providing them with the panels as explained, they are strengthened and better adapted for subjection to the process of enameling without so much danger of their becoming warped from the intense heat and the enamel cracking through any distortion of the parts. By breaking up the areas of the elements A and B by the paneling thereof. the material has a tendency to yield to expansion and contraction without the element as a whole becoming appreciably deformed and this naturally lessens the strains imposed upon the enamel coating.

A recognized point of weakness in heavily enameled sheet metal constructions as commonly built. is in the means for fastening the parts together. Ordinarily, stove bolts are employed for this purpose and to pretit) vent cracking of the surrounding enamel, lead, fiber or paper washers are interposed between the bolt heads or the nuts and the adjacent enameled parts. So long as the lead washers retain their proper shape and thickness, they are more satisfactory than paper or fiber, but the latter are less inclined to distortion. It frequently happens that lead washers are completely displaced by the pressure of the bolt heads or nuts.

I overcome these difliculties by employing any one of the fastening means illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, preferably that shown in Fig. 8 because of its simplicity. This fastening means consists of a shouldered bolt, the shank whereof is of a length substantially equal to the combined thickness of the parts which are to be clamped together and which are relieved of undue strains when the nutis drawn up tightly against the shoulder of the bolt. In Fig. 8, the bolt is designated 11, the shank 12, which is separated from the threaded portion 13 by a shoulder 14 against which the nut 15 bears when in final position. The sheet metal elements that are clamped together by the bolt are designated 16, and the vitreous enamel coating thereon i shown at 17 A similar effect is accomplished through the use of the means illustrated in I 9 'where an ordinary bolt is shown at 18 as having a tubular spanner if) placed thereon to properly space the nut 20 from the head of the bolt so as to accommodate between said parts the sheet metal members 21 that are provided with enamel coatings 22.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a sheet steel element 23, having a heavy coating of vitreous enamel 24, clamped to a similar element 25 that may be japanned and therefore less liable to be injured from pressure applied to it. The element 23 has an aperture wherein an eyelet 26 of brass or other suitable material is permanently contained. This permits the use of an ordinary bolt 27 that is engaged through. the eyelet and through an aperture in the plate 25 and has applied to its threaded end a nut 28. The parts may be screwed up reasonably tight without danger of cracking the enamel 24 because of its protection by the eyelet 26.

Returning the back A from the stove top 1 it may be pointed out that the comparatively short ledges (6 are preferable. to a flange running the entire length of the back and which might seem a more natural and logical construction by reason of the fact that it is followed elsewhere in the structure. The reason for this preference is that the inherent unevenness of the heavy enamel coating with the possible distortion of the metal makes it practically impossible to obtain a satisfactory and properly appearing joint between a comparatively long continuous to the manner of supporting flange on the back and the rear side of the stove top, while with the short ledges there is nothing to accentuate the irregularities of the enamel and metal. Moreover, the ledges a are desirably japanned or otherwise treated with a coating that is practically immune from cracking and is secured to the back by hollow rivets or eyelets after the backis enameled, wherefore the ledges may yield to any irregularities of the enamel or metal of the stove top and prevent injury to the enamel.

In the drawings there appears to be. an objectionable offset between the rear ends of the flanges Z2 of the end members B and their major portions, due to their rear ends being engaged over the ledges a while their major portions rest directly on the stove top. This offset is negligible in the actual structure because of the thinness of the metal. Of necessity the thickness of the material is greatly exa gerated in the drawings.

Having thus described my invention, I claim is:

1. In combination with a structure of the character set forth, a cabinet comprising a back having forwardly projecting ledges what spaced a suitable distance from its lower edge adjacent its ends, said ledges being arranged to rest upon the top of the structure; end members having inwardly directed flanges spaced from their lower edges and arranged to overhang said top and beengaged over the ledges of the back, means connecting together the ends and rear edges of the back and end members, and further means securing the lower edge portions of the back and end members to the adjacent parts of said top.

2. In combination with a structure of the character set forth, a cabinet comprising a back having forwardly projecting ledges near its lower edge arranged to bear upon the rear portion of the top of the structure, the back having rearwardly extending end flanges; end members having inwardly directed flanges near their lower edges for engagement over the. ends of said top and having inwardly directed flanges along their rear vertical edges, the end flanges of the back engaging the end members inwardly of their rear edge flanges; means connecting the end flanges of the back to the end members, and further means securing the lower edge portions of the back and end members to the adjacent portions of the top of the structure.

3. In combination with a structure of the character set forth, a cabinet comprising a back and end members assembled with the end members at right angles to the back, the lower edge portions of the back and end lit;

Ill?) members being designed for cooperation with the rear and end edge portions of the top of the structure, respectively; means connecting the back and end members together;

&

further means connecting the lower edge portions of the back and end members to the rear and end portions of said top, the back and end members having inwardly directed substantially horizontal flanges along their upper edges; a shelf resting upon said flanges of the back and end members, and means securing the shelf to the end members.

4. In combination with a structure of the character set forth, a cabinet comprising back and end members rising respectively, from the corresponding edge portions of the top of the structure, said back and end members having inwardly directed flanges at their upper edges, a shelf applied to'the tops of the back and end members, said shelf terminating at its rear edge in a downwardly directed flange spaced a suitable distance rearwardly of the back, the shelf having downwardly directed flanges for engagement over the outer sides of the end members, and means for connecting the shelf and end members together.

5. In combination with a structure of the character set forth, a cabinet comprising back and end members rising, respectively, from the corresponding edge portions of the top of the structure; a shelf superposed upon the tops of the back and end members, said shelf having double downwardly z:- tending flanges at its ends that are engaged over the outer sides of the end members and having at its rear edge a depending flange spaced rearwardly of and free from the back; a back extension having its lower edge formed to provide a groove for the reception of the depending rear flange of the shelf and having a forwardly directed flange arranged to engage over the rear ed e portion of the shelf; means connecting the shelf to the end members, and braces supporting the back GXLBIISiOH in a substantially right angular relation to the shelf.

6. In combination with a structure of the character set forth, a cabinet comprising a back and end members rising, respectively, from the corresponding edgeportions of a top of the structure, a shelf surmounting the back and end members; a back extension applied to the rear edge portion of the shelf, the upper edge of the back extension being turned over forwardly and downwardly to provide a downwardly opening groove, the forward edge portion of the shelf being formed upwardly then forwardly and downwardly to effect an upwardly projecting bead which merges at its outer edge into a depending flange, the radius of the bead and that of the forwardly and downwardly turned upper edge of the back extension being substantially equal: substantially identical and interchangeable channel moldings embracing the upper edge portion of the back ex ension and the forward edge portion of the shelf; suitable means connecting the parts together; braces having their upper ends formed to fit about the ends of the molding that is applied to the back exten sion; means connecting the upper endof each of said braces, the adjacent end of the molding, and the back extension together; the forward ends of the braces overlying the ends of'the shelf, and furiher means for securing the forward ends of the braces, the shelf and theendvmembers together.

7. In combination with a structure of the character set forth, a cabinet for attachment to the top thereof and comprising a back having a forwardly extending flange at its top and rearwardly extending flanges at its ends, the back being provided with forwardly projecting ledges near its lower edge for engagement with said top; end members having inwardly extending flanges. at their top, front and rear edges and near their lower edges, the last mentioned flanges being arranged to bear at their rear ends on the aforesaid ledges and throughout substantially the remainder of'their lengths on the end portions of the aforesaid top means connecting the rear portions of the end members to the end flanges of the back, and the lower edge portions of the back and end members to the corresponding edge portions of the top of the structure; a shelf resting upon the back and end members and having downwardly directed flanges along its ends that depend outside and in proximity to the end members, the shelf also having flanges along its rear and front edges; a back extension having an upwardly opening groove along its lower edge for the reception of the rear flange of the shelf and a forwardly dirccfed flange spaced above said groove for engagement over the rear edge portion of the shelf; and means for fastening the shelf and back extension in place.

8. In a cabinet of the character set forth. the combination of a back; end members having their rear edges engaged with the ends of the back; a shelf sin-mounting the back and end members; a back extension rising from the rear edge of the shelf, the back and end members being heavily coated with vitreous enamel and having apertures for the accommodation of fastening means; and means for connecing the parts together, the means for connecting the enamel coated parts together consisting of an element adapted to be extended through registering ones of the said apertures and having opposed abutmenfs definitely spaced from each other a distance equal to or slightly greater than the aggregate normal thickness of said parts in the immediate vicinity of said apertures.

9. In a cabinet of the character set forth. the combination of a back and end members arranged at right angles thereto, the rear edges of the end members overlapping the end portions of the back in surface contact therewith, the back and end members having substantially horizontal flanges at their upper edges; a shelf resting upon said flanges; a top extension rising from the rear of the shelf; means for connecting the parts together, the back and end members being coated with vitreous enamel, the coating of enamel being of less thickness Where the members overlap each other, the overlapping portions of said members being provided with registering apertures for the accommodation of certain of the aforesaid fastening means, the fastening means designed for engagement through said apertures consisting each of an element having opposed abutments which are definitely spaced apart a distance substantially equal to or greater than the aggregate normal thickness of the enameled parts in the immediate vicinity of said apertures.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

LEE S. OHADWICK. 

